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SAITAMA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 07: Naoya Inoue of Japan reacts in the bout against Nonito Donaire of Philippines during the WBSS Bantamweight Final at Saitama Super Arena on November 07, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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SAITAMA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 07: Naoya Inoue of Japan reacts in the bout against Nonito Donaire of Philippines during the WBSS Bantamweight Final at Saitama Super Arena on November 07, 2019 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Naoya Inoue has been on a meteoric rise. This past weekend, he defeated Marlon Tapales to become the undisputed super-bantamweight champion. After having been undefeated and a knockout ratio of 88.46%, one wonders, who can put on a fight against him? The narrative is brewing that nobody in the super-bantamweight poses a threat to him.
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However, lines get blurry if he moves up in weight class. Will he be undefeated in the Feather-weight and super-featherweight divisions after being in a position of disadvantage? Find out what Shawn Porter has to suggest.
Will Naoya Inoue be successful in the featherweight division? Shawn Porter weighs in
Shawn Porter is the former welterweight champion of the world. Moreover, he remains associated with the sport even outside of the ring by talking about the sport on his podcast, ‘The Porter Way Pod.’ Moreover, in a recent episode, he talks about Inoue and asserts that his super-bantamweight division would be a safe route for him but would not be that sure in higher-weight classes.
How many weight classes can Inoue move up 😳🥊🎙️ pic.twitter.com/esuWCPVlfX
— The PorterWay Podcast (@ThePorterWayPod) December 27, 2023
He stated, “With Inoue your way because his way ain’t happening at 122. 126. At 122, your way. 126, 130 is tricky.” On the other hand, Al Bernstein, an American sports commentator suggested that even in the featherweight division, a fighter like Brandon Figueroa can pose a threat.
Inoue has an array of opponents to face at multiple weight divisions. However, with only due time can one find out what he does next. Until then, let’s take a look at the criticism that Inoue has been subject to despite his win.
Inoue being a pound-for-pound fighter ignites distinct opinions
Former light-heavyweight champion, Antonio Tarver, does not consider Inoue a pound-for-pound best fighter. The premise of this claim is that he has not faced formidable opponents especially when compared to the likes of Terence Crawford. On X., he stated, “He ain’t fought a top fighter and those lighter divisions with no real names.”
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